EMTV’s Scott Waide reports from the earthquake zone.
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has deployed 70 soldiers from Port Moresby to Southern Highlands and Hela provinces in the aftermath of last wek’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake.
They are tasked to provide security, medical assistance, distribute relief supplies and set up care centres for communities affected by the earthquake and aftershocks, reports EMTV News.
International news agencies are reporting that the death toll has now topped 100.
The troops will also be engaged in other necessary duties if needed.
Half of the group will travel to Hela from Komo Airport while the other half will be travelling by road to Southern Highlands from Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
The troops are from the First Royal Pacific Island Regiment at Taurama.
Among them, 10 are specialist combat military trained medical personnel, of which five are deployed to Hela and the other five deployed to Southern Highlands.
They were flown by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130 from the PNGDF Air Transport Wing at Jacksons International Airport.
EMTV News stories are republished Asia Pacific Report by arrangement.
